Suginami City

Suginami City, Tokyo's 8th single-member election district, is located in central Tokyo. Covering over thirty-four square kilometers, Suginami enjoys three rivers, three nature preservation areas, and two hundred and eighty-one parks. The city' s natural scenic beauty, high quality of life, and ideal location have helped it become one of metropolitan Tokyo's major housing areas. Suginami is currently home to more than 560,000 people.

Boasting a population of over 12,000 foreigners, Suginami embraces its international diversity. In an effort to assist the City's foreign community, Suginami has published "A Guide to Living in Suginami City," which contains helpful information about Suginami's resources and events (http://www.city.suginami.tokyo.jp/guide/annai/information/1004479.html). Additionally, the Suginami Association for Cultural Exchange (SACE) sponsor various cultural exchange opportunities aimed at cultivating goodwill between Japanese and foreigners.

Each year, Suginami hosts a number of festivals and community activities. Sponsored either by shrines or local communities, these events provide Japanese and foreigners alike with cultural experiences the entire family can enjoy:

• Dondo-Yaki , Mid-January
• Spring Flower, Plant, and Vegetable Exhibition and Sale, Late March
• Flower Festival, April 3-4
• Azalea Festival, May 3-5
• Kiyari-bushi, May 3
• Asagaya Tanabata Festival, Early August
• Koenji Awa-odori, Late August
• Ogikubo Hakusan Shrine Festival, September 7-8
• Autumn Flower, Plant, and Vegetable Exhibition and Sale, Early November
• Tori-no-ichi, November
• Shichi-Go-San (Seven-Five-Three), November 1 5

For further information about Suginami City, you may wish to contact SACE by calling 03-5378-8833.